APRIL 17, 2026
THE CHILDHOOD LEAGUE PRESENTS
BATTLE
BATTLE COLUMBUS is The event of the season!
BATTLE COLUMBUS brings the city’s best cover bands to the stage for an unforgettable showdown, where killer performances meet a mission that matters. Three bands. One $5,000 grand prize. And every riff, beat, and lyric helps support Central Ohio kids from birth to five with developmental needs or who are at risk. For those about to rock, join us Friday, April 17th, 2026 at Kemba Live!
—don’t miss it!
2026 Lineup
2026 Lineup
OPENER: THEO’S LOOSE HINGES - 7:00 PM
Blues. Soul. Rock. Stirred, Not Shaken.
Formed In 2008, This Columbus Staple Delivers High-Energy Sets That Swing From Smooth Soul To Gritty, Whiskey-Soaked Blues Without Missing A Beat. Fronted By Theo Perry Alongside Kenny Caterer And Jeff Arszman, They’ve Lit Up Stages At Natalie’s Grandview, ComFest, And Venues Across The City.
MEDUSA
Cleveland’s All-Female Rock Force
Featuring Seasoned Musicians From Across The Northeast Ohio Scene, They Bring Thunderous Vocals, Ripping Guitars, And Serious Stage Command. They’ve Been Lighting Up Venues Across Cleveland, Akron, And Beyond, And Now They’re Ready To Make Battle Columbus Their Next Conquest.
BLUEWATER KINGS BAND
Defending 2025 Champions
The Blue Water Kings Are Not Just A Band. They’re A Customizable Music Machine. Their Sound Spans Top 40, Motown, Soul, R&B, Classic Rock, And Jazz. Weddings, Corporate Events, Private Parties Across The Midwest. Multi-Year Winners Of The Knot Best Of Weddings And WeddingWire Couples’ Choice.
Last Year, They Brought The House Down. This Year, They’re Back To Defend The Throne.
THREE TON TOAD
Columbus’ Own High-Energy Party Architects
Formed In 2007, This Five-Piece Powerhouse Covers Everything From AJR And Outkast To Blink-182 And AC/DC. They’ve Shared Stages With Joe Jonas, Shinedown, And The All-American Rejects, And They Know Exactly How To Turn A Crowd Into A Chorus.
EMCEE: JEROD SMALLEY
NBC4’s Own
Returning For His Third Year, Jerod Brings Heart, Humor, And Authenticity To The Stage. A Passionate Advocate For Early Childhood Intervention And A Proud Father Of Two Sons On The Autism Spectrum, Jerod Embodies The Why Behind This Night. He Keeps The Energy High. He Keeps The Focus Clear. And He Reminds Us That Every Ticket Sold Supports Life-Changing Work At The Childhood League Center.
SPECIAL GUEST PERFORMANCE: SILAS CALLISON
A Childhood League Center Alumni
Last Year, Silas Took The Stage And Absolutely Owned It. A Former Childhood League Center Student, His Powerhouse Vocals Stopped The Room In Its Tracks And Then Lifted It Straight Into The Rafters.
When He Sings, You’re Not Just Hearing A Song. You’re Seeing The Impact Of The Childhood League Center In Real Time
We’re a woman-RUN Organization focused on transformING children’s challenging starts into unstoppable futures through fundraising, volunteering, and community advocacy.
meet the Childhood League
we are committed to serving children birth through 5 years old who have developmental delays
meet the Childhood League center
Vision
To transform challenging starts into unstoppable futures
Mission
We change the trajectory of a child’s life through innovative early childhood education, transdisciplinary teams and family-centered partnerships
Values
It is the right of all individuals to be a part of their community.
Every child is unique and has innate strengths, capabilities, and potential.
Every child has a right to quality early childhood education.
Learning is active. It requires love, support, and guidance. It is possible through exploration, experimentation, and meaningful connections.
Families are essential to a child’s healthy development.
